Best Bets: Week 11

Week 11 has arrived, and in Ohio, that means playoff football.

The teams that qualified for the postseason are chomping at the bit and ready for game day. They’ve spent the entire season working toward this moment, earning an opportunity to advance and move one step closer to a state championship.

The stakes are high, and the pressure will be at its peak as teams take the field this weekend. Some enter the postseason riding plenty of momentum, while others stumbled down the stretch and barely made the field. None of that matters now. Everyone has a shot at bringing home a state championship trophy.

This week’s opening-round action features several intriguing matchups across multiple divisions, with plenty of potential for fireworks.

Middletown and Lebanon square off in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Withrow takes its talented roster to Hamilton for a showdown with Badin. Alter makes the trip south to face Indian Hill, while Goshen heads into the city to battle Hughes.

The atmosphere should be electric, and there’s little room for error. Win and advance. Lose and go home.

Here are our Best Bets for Week 11.

Division I, Region 4

No. 9 Middletown at No. 8 Lebanon

Middletown finished third in the tough Greater Miami Conference with an overall record of 6-4. The Middies dominated the bottom half of the league but struggled against its top two teams, suffering lopsided defeats.

Still, Middletown enters the postseason having won six of its final eight games, including a 63-6 drubbing of rival Hamilton last week.

The Middies have featured a balanced offensive attack, throwing for 1,473 yards and rushing for 905 yards this season.

Quarterback Kolby Morgerson has tossed seven touchdown passes, while Memphis Driscol leads the ground game with 500 rushing yards. Gavin Nolan has added seven rushing touchdowns.

Ka’Leem Taylor, Julius Reed, Will Gibson and Elijah Jones have been consistent threats at wide receiver, with each capable of producing a big game against an opposing secondary.

Defensively, Cris’Shaun Smith and Chris Hyde lead Middletown in tackles, while DJ Bryant has been the team’s top defensive back.

Much like its opponent, Lebanon finished third in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference. The Warriors also struggled against the top two teams in their league but found plenty of success against the rest of the competition.

Balance has been a strength for Lebanon, although the Warriors have been the more explosive team statistically.

Logan Schmenk led the ECC in rushing with 1,471 yards and 24 touchdowns, making him a problem for any opposing defense.

Quarterback Mason Reed has been effective through the air, throwing for 1,498 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also added 402 yards on the ground.

Lebanon QB Mason Reed (photo by: Daniel Cramer/TriStateFootball.com)

Wide receiver Wyatt Lassen leads the Warriors with 43 receptions, including 10 touchdown catches. Brook Cummings anchors the defense with a team-high 72 tackles.

This matchup has all the makings of a terrific playoff battle between two teams looking to extend their seasons.

Bet on Middletown to pull off the road win and advance.

Division II, Region 8

No. 9 Withrow at No. 8 Badin

Withrow has played one of the toughest schedules in the Tri-state this season and has survived to tell the story.

The Tigers enter the playoffs at 7-3, riding a five-game winning streak after enduring a difficult stretch earlier in the season. They look like a team capable of making some noise in the postseason.

Sa’Vion Davis has been a major threat for Withrow both through the air and on the ground.

Davis has thrown for 1,299 yards and 19 touchdowns, connecting most often with Charles Alexander Jr., who has 569 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

The quarterback is also the team’s leading rusher with 805 yards and seven touchdowns. Dion Clardy provides another dangerous option in the backfield, having accumulated 711 rushing yards and 10 scores.

Defensively, Chris Barnes has been a disruptive force, leading the Tigers with 10 sacks.

Badin has been consistent throughout the season but enters the playoffs looking to bounce back from a 14-0 loss to McNicholas in the GCL Co-Ed championship showdown.

The Rams have relied heavily on junior running back Chase Even, who led the league in rushing with 1,315 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Even has frequently carried the Badin offense, which has leaned on its rushing attack rather than the passing game. Ball control and physical defense have been the Rams’ calling cards throughout the season.

Jackson Turner leads the defensive unit with 88 tackles, while Balin Wong has contributed eight sacks.

This one looks like a toss-up. Withrow brings explosive playmakers and momentum into the matchup, while Badin will look to control the tempo with its physical ground game and defense.

Bet on Withrow to pull through in a tight ballgame.

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Division III, Region 12

No. 11 Alter at No. 6 Indian Hill

Alter finished third in the GCL Co-Ed behind McNicholas and Badin. The Knights have shown the ability to play physical, disciplined football and will need both qualities to advance on the road.

Drew Cripps has been the centerpiece of the Alter offense, rushing for 1,153 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Much like conference rival Badin, the Knights have relied heavily on their ground game to move the football. Controlling possession, shortening games and playing tough defense have been central to their approach throughout the season.

Jake Botti leads the defensive unit with 100 tackles.

Indian Hill captured a share of the Cincinnati Hills League championship as part of a three-way tie atop the standings.

The Braves are looking to make another deep postseason run after advancing all the way to the state semifinals a year ago.

The rushing combination of running back Jacob Alexander and quarterback Devlan Daniel has been difficult for opposing defenses to contain.

Alexander has rushed for 1,093 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Daniel has added 912 rushing yards and 14 scores.

Indian Hill QB Devlan Daniel (photo by: Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com_

Defensively, Topher Wachtel and Joey Jernigan have separated themselves with their sure tackling and ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Both teams will look to establish the run and win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Indian Hill’s experience and balanced rushing attack could provide the difference.

Bet on Indian Hill to advance.

No. 10 Goshen at No. 7 Hughes

Goshen enters the postseason at 9-1 with an offense capable of attacking opponents in several ways.

Gage Croley has been the driving force on the ground, leading the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference with 1,286 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.

Quarterback Caden Slusher provides the Warriors with another dangerous weapon. He has thrown for 1,148 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 604 rushing yards and six scores.

Goshen RB Gag Croley (photo fromFacebook: Goshen Local Schools)

Brian Miller leads the Goshen defense with 84 tackles.

Hughes suffered its lone defeat against a talented Withrow squad, but the Big Red have the pieces to become a major problem for opponents in the postseason.

Quarterback Faheem Muhammad has thrown for 830 yards and nine touchdowns, while Omantae Smith leads the rushing attack with 654 yards.

Nehemiah Engleman has emerged as the team’s top receiving threat.

Defensively, Kannen Adams has been a nightmare for opposing offenses, recording 12.5 sacks this season.

Goshen brings a balanced attack and an impressive record into the matchup, but Hughes has the defensive playmakers and athleticism to make a serious postseason push.

Bet on Hughes to continue its big season.